HFMA reports on hospital margins

The Healthcare Financial Management Association has issued a report on hospitals' financial condition in the troubled economy. According to researchers, fifty-four percent of hospitals had negative total margins during the first-quarter of fiscal year 2009, including 80 percent of hospitals with 500 or more beds. Eight in 10 hospitals report declines in non-operating revenue since the economic recession began last summer, and seven in 10 report fewer days cash on hand. Four in 10 hospitals report a decline in net patient revenue and investment losses of 25 percent or more.

According to the American Hospital Association, the report is consistent with their analysis released last month.